A study of the Mathnawí and Divan-i Kebîr of Hz. Mevlânâ reveals to us the opinions of Hz. Mevlânâ regarding the month of Ramadan and fasting:

“The passion towards fasting is very unique” says Hz. Mevlânâ. He mentions how much he misses fasting and how strong he feelsthe absence of fasting. Sometimes he regards fasting as a “Mother”.

Ramadan, the month of fasting, should be welcomed with joy and we should be thankful and appreciative to Allah.

Fasting reveals the faith of a person, the love towards Allah, the devotion to Allah, the forbearance for Allah’s sake, the abstention from the things forbidden by Allah.

During the month of Ramadan, it is necessary to abstain not only from eating and drinking, but also from speaking bad words ordoing bad deeds…we have to exercise patience against bad things.

It is not easy to fast but it helps you to develop an aptitude for many difficulties. Fasting makes the ego (nefs) and Shaitan (The devil) feeble and frail, purifies the physical and spiritual body, frees gönül (the spiritual heart) from worldly affairs, sets the soul free, sharpens the spiritual eye, teaches patience, teaches ways to escape illnesses, matures people, increases spiritual food, makes people become closer to Allah.

Explaining that (ritual) prayer and fasting and all (such) external things are witnesses to the inner light.

This (ritual) prayer and fasting and pilgrimage and holy war are the attestation of the (inward) belief.

The giving of alms and presents and the abandonment of envy are the attestation of one’s secret thoughts.

185. Dishes of food and hospitality are for the purpose of declaring that “we, O noble (guests), have become in true accord with you.”

Prayers will be accepted in this month.
Sighs of the one fasting pierce the sky.

The person who sits patiently
At the bottom of fasting’s well
Owns the love of Egypt, like Joseph.

O the word which eats the Sahur meal,
Be silent so that anyone
Who knows fasting will enjoy fasting.

Come, O Shems, the brave one
Of whom Tebriz is proud.
You are the commander of fasting’s soldiers.[5]

On the mountain Qaf of fasting even the sparrow becomes the phoenix , the stone turns into a wonderful ruby , during fasting , and this religious practice if a fast horse running swiftly towards the source of life. [6]

If your brain and stomach burn from fasting, their fire will draw constant lamentations from your breast. Through that fire you will burn a thousand veils at every instant. You will ascend a thousand degrees on the way and in your aspiration . . . when you fast, good character traits gather round you like servants, slaves and retinue. [7]

Although faith is built upon five pillars, yet by God the greatest pillars of those is fasting , just as the blessed night of the might is hidden in fasting. [8]

O moon-faced Beloved, the month of Ramadan has arrived. Cover the table and open the path of praise.”

The month of fasting has come, the emperor’s banner has arrived; withhold your hand from food, the spirit’s table has arrived.

The soul has escaped from separation and bound nature’s hands; the heart of error is defeated, the army of faith has arrived.

Fasting is our sacrifice, it is the life of our soul; let us sacrifice all our body, since the soul has arrived as guest.

Fortitude is as a sweet cloud, wisdom rains from it, because it was in such a month of fortitude that the Koran arrived.

…Wash your hands and your mouth, neither eat nor speak; seek that speech and that morsel which has come to the silent ones.”

This entry was posted
on Pazar, Temmuz 31st, 2011 at 20:08 and is filed under Islam.
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